Number of 10- to 17-year-olds in care proceedings doubles over last decade

It has emerged that the number of 10- to 17-year-olds subject to proceedings rose by 95 per cent between 2011/12 and 2019/20, from 3,081 to 6,013 children.

Meanwhile, the number of 16-year-olds involve in proceedings has almost quadrupled, rising by 285 per cent over that time, according to the research.

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There has also been a sharp rise in the number of 15-year-olds involved in care proceedings, by 150 per cent.

The rise among 10- to 17-year-olds is faster than any other age group, says the research by Nuffield Family Justice Observatory.

Regionally, the North East of England has the highest number of young people involved in proceedings in this age group.

By 2019/20, 26 out of 10,000 teenagers in the North East were coming before the family court, which is more than double the national average of 11.6.

The North West, Yorkshire and Humber, and London are among other regions to see a spike in proceedings involving teenagers over the last decade.

Key factors in teenagers becoming involved in proceedings include parents struggling with “the debilitating impact of entrenched poverty and disadvantage”, according to researchers.

Other factors are the long-term impact of substance misuse, mental health problems and domestic abuse.

Researchers found that children had experienced “long term neglect and trauma at home” and had been in households where child protection issues were already a concern.

Risks teenagers in such circumstances face include being targeted by criminals and sexual abusers.

“Older children come into care proceedings with a unique set of vulnerabilities, often induced by long-term instability coupled with harm from outside the home,” said Nuffield Family Justice Observatory director Lisa Harker.

“For the child protection and family justice systems – which have, until recently, focused on protecting younger children and on understanding risks from within the family home rather than outside it – this means a complete rethink about the options available to professionals to meet these young people’s needs.”